Your vehicle works hard to get you where you need to go. And along the way, it's exposed to dirt, debris, salt, grime and more. To keep your car running well, you have to take care of it, and that includes routine trips to the car wash. Hopefully, you're remembering oil changes and basic car maintenance, but don't overlook the importance of a trip through the car wash. Here are 12 reasons why.
Protect Your Paint
Roads are pretty gross, so your car comes into contact with a lot of grease, gas, dirt, bugs and animal droppings. If left untreated, these deposits could eventually eat away at your car's finish and paint. A run through the car wash will eliminate these deposits. The simple rule of thumb: When you can see the dirt on your car, it's time for a wash.
Looking to touch up your car’s paint job? Read up on the basics here.
Avoid Rust
Protecting your paint isn't just about aesthetics. If your paint becomes chipped or damaged, your car might develop rust. Although modern cars aren't as prone to rust as their predecessors, owners still need to be proactive about rust protection. This is especially key if you live in a wintry area where roads are treated with salt, which can increase the risk of rust.
Want even more rust protection? Explore the benefits of undercoating for cars.
Improve Fuel Efficiency
Want to get a bit more out of your tank of gas? As absurd as it may sound, regular car washes can help improve your car's overall fuel economy. A layer of dirt on your car increases drag, causing a vehicle to use more fuel. One experiment found that a car achieved about 2.4 more miles per gallon when it was clean versus when it was dirty.
Boost Personal Pride and Well-Being
Much like your home, you feel better when your car is clean and spotless, rather than coated in a layer of dirt with a helpful “wash me" hand-drawn on the rear windshield. While your home occasionally becomes a bit messy, you still regularly clean the bathrooms and wipe down kitchen counters, right? It's the same idea with your car. Your vehicle is your largest accessory, and a regular car wash will keep it looking its best.
Maintain Resale Value
Besides making you feel good, regular car washes will help maintain the appearance and could improve overall resale value. Sure, you love your car, but a day will come when you're in the market for a new and improved one. The value of a used car depends on its condition, and a regular car wash is an inexpensive way to keep your car in top-notch shape.
Improve Life Span
If you want to keep your car as long as possible, getting regular car washes is a great way to keep it on the road. Protecting your car from rust and other damage can prolong its life.
Save Money
True, car washes cost about $10 to $20 each time you swing through, but they can save you money in the long run. Protecting your paint, avoiding rust and clearing road gunk from your undercarriage may allow you to avoid pricier car repairs.
Highlight Your Upgrades
Lots of people like to invest in their cars, with features like custom paint or shiny new rims. Once you've spent all that money, you'll want to keep it looking great with regular trips through the car wash. After all, a glistening wash will make your car look even better.
Clean Your Undercarriage
You might get out the bucket and soap and scrub down your car's exterior at home, but chances are you're not going to crawl underneath with your cleaning supplies. Luckily, car washes make it easy to protect your car's undercarriage, blasting high-pressure water to clean off dirt and grime. That can help protect your suspension and other parts of your car that are in close contact with the road.
Ensure You're Using the Right Supplies
Did you know that there are different types of soaps and cleaners for different surfaces on your car? Just like you wouldn't use carpet cleaner on your shower, you wouldn't want to use rim polish on your paint. When you go to an automatic or professional car wash, you don't have to worry about the difference—the experts have you covered.
Shine, the Easy Way
Wax gives your car's exterior a bit of extra shine, but applying it by hand takes lots of elbow grease and time. Car washes offer a shortcut with spray-on wax that can brighten your car's finish. You may even opt for a hand wax at the car wash to protect your paint.
Enjoy a Quick and Easy Accomplishment
There's no denying that a quick run through the car wash is extremely convenient. While some car maintenance items are pricey or time-consuming, you can fit a car wash into even the busiest schedule. You can run through the car wash and feel accomplished that you've looked after your car for the day.
How Often Should You Wash Your Car?
Most people should wash their car every two weeks. Consider going to the car wash more if you:
- Live in an area that uses road salt to treat ice and snow
- Drive on unpaved, sanded, or salted roads often
- Park in areas where bird droppings or leaves from plants fall on your car often
- Live in a very hot climate, where the sun can eat away at the protective wax on your car
If you don't drive very often and park your car inside a garage, you may be able to get away with less frequent washing. Still, you should go through the car wash at least once a month.
Average Cost of a Car Wash
The benefits of a car wash are usually well worth the money you'll spend. Here's a breakdown of common car wash pricing.
| Type of Wash | Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic drive-through car wash | $10-$20 |
| Self-service car wash | $7-$15 |
| Touchless car wash | $10-$30 |
| Manual car wash | $20-$30 |
| Car detailing | $150+ |
What About All the Bells and Whistles?
It's hard to deny all the positive effects regular washes have on your car's condition and value. But that's not to say you need to pay for all the extra features some car wash companies offer. Here's a quick rundown of a few that may not be worth paying for each visit
- An undercarriage wash isn’t necessary every time you visit the car wash, but do it at least once every season.
- A wheel cleaning is a purely cosmetic add-on at the car wash. Brake dust—the black residue that accumulates on rims—won’t damage your vehicle the way dirt and grime will. If you want to keep your wheels and rims looking spotless, a wheel cleaning will do the trick— but it’s not a requirement.
- Spray-on wax is another cosmetic addition that isn’t going to help a whole lot. This wax simply enhances the existing shine and helps prevent water spots when drying. On the other hand, more expensive car detailing usually includes a hand-wax, which improves the shine and protects the paint.
Go beyond the basic car wash—learn about car detailing here.
Do Your Research
Not all car wash companies offer the same equipment, and the quality and upkeep of that equipment will vary as well. You can start by checking out online reviews, but the best way of gauge a company’s quality is to see it for yourself. Are the cars coming out of the wash clean? Is the building in good condition? If so, you're likely in good hands. If you go through the wash but aren't happy with the final product, try a new car next time.
Car washes can leave your vehicle looking great for the next few days. But they also have long-term benefits: They can help you avoid rust, maintain your vehicle's value long-term and even improve fuel economy. The Synchrony Car Care™ credit card can help you pay for car washes, car detailing and other vehicle maintenance. Learn more about the Synchrony Car Care™ credit card and apply today.
READ MORE: The Secret To Keeping Your Aging Car Young? Create and Use a Car Care Checklist.